The North Country National Scenic Trail in Minnesota
Andrea Ketchmark
NOTES FROM THE MEETING
By Rob Hofmann
Once again, Rotarians of Club #25 gathered for fellowship and an informative program in the Lyric Conference Center of the Holiday Inn Downtown. President Steve Yorde rang the Rotary Bell calling us to order followed by Rotarians singing America the Beautiful accompanied by Past President John Baumgarten. Darlene Anderson recounted why she has remained a Duluth Rotarian, provided this day’s reflection. Although the weather was more wet and chilled than one would expect for a late May afternoon, Rotarians may take great joy in the beauty of our land and lake, the wonderful community of healthcare providers, educators, artists, business people and the abundance of service opportunities when being a Rotarian makes a difference.
Jon Ohman offered the Fellowship Report. Many guests and prospective members honored us with their attendance. Guests of Club #25 were Dave Schaeffer from Chester Bowl Improvement Club and Shawn Krizaj from Duluth Fire Department. Jim Cherveny, retired, was a guest of Tim Mowbray; Jerry Thoreson from Destination Duluth was our “roving photographer for the day” and Club #25’s Facebook Administrator for the Rotary Duck Pluck was the special guest of President Elect Michelle Buria. A former Club #25 member now Mayor of Two Harbors, Chris Swanson was guest of Past President Branden Robinson, who also played host to co-worker Malia Rowell. Larry Nord and Terry Trogdon were guests of Mike Orman.
A familiar face to Club #25 members, and “faithful weekly Gimlet reader” to boot, Barbara Bennett, guest of Bob Bennett. Mary Rapps joined Jenny Peterson, and prospective Club #25 member Bill Sozansky was the guest of co-sponsor Geiger Yount. Following introductions, Beth Storaasli provided $42.00 toward the “Golden Can” to celebrate 42 years as an attorney in Duluth and her retirement on May 31st. Beth blazed the trail for women attorneys, as she was the first woman hired at her firm, and the first to become partner. She faced some old-school assumptions in those early days when the mostly male dominated industry was just being introduced to a brilliant woman in their midst. Respect went both ways as she said, “In Duluth, a lawyer’s word is their bond” … Now she will have time to spend with her 100-year-old mother and her three grandchildren. Congratulations Beth! Elizabeth Simonson was required to take a $2 loan from Catherine Carter Huber as Elizabeth was fined for forgetting her Rotary Badge (and cash). Jon Ohman, who then started to quack-up, turned the podium over to the always stay-bill Renee Mattson who asked all Rotarians to hold August 15, 2019 for the first annual Duluth Rotary Duck Pluck. As we may recall from last week’s meeting, Boys and Girls Club of the Northland will receive $25,000 from this “Signature Project” event in support of their important Mental Health Access Program, a program supporting youth and their
important Mental Health Access Program, a program supporting youth and their families addressing the growing issue in our communities. To make Duluth Rotary Duck Pluck a success, Renee made a strong case for sponsorship in order to cover the costs associated with the event as well as guaranteeing this will be a grand family friendly day that will become an annual tradition. Duluth Rotary Duck Pluck sponsors will benefit from media coverage, including one hundred and sixty 30-second ad plays by Town Square Media (Thank you, Mary Niemeyer), Facebook mentions, Rotary #25 website mentions, and other branding opportunities. Podium Announcements: Catherine Carter Huber presented Dave Schaeffer from the Chester Bowl Improvement Club with a check for $2,000 for youth program, and a $2,000 check to Shawn Krizaj from Duluth Fire Department for the personal water rescue system that was featured at an earlier Club #25 meeting. It was noted that our $2,000 gift, plus the same amount from 3 other local Rotary clubs will total $8,000, and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by District 5580. President Steve presented Twin Ports Rotaract Club received a Presidential Citation with Gold Distinction for their extraordinary level of service work in our district. Rotaractor McKenzie MacFarlane accepted this honor on her club’s behalf. John Foucault raised $150 from two Rotarians during an impromptu auction of Past President Jerry Ostroski homemade maple syrup, an unclaimed auction item from our recent dinner. Jim Schwartz called for volunteers and BOATS for the Friday, June 7th The Hills and Family Services Rotary Fishing Day. Those that can help should contact Dan Maki at dnmaki51@gmail.com or call 218-590-3593. More fun and fellowship will be found during the annual Piedmont BBQ on June 6th where Rotarians can donate any amount of time they can spare.
Our Chair of the Day Dr. Jim Monge introduced our program speakers Dr. David Herman, CEO of Essentia Health, and colleague Mark Hayward. Dr. Herman, a native of International Falls, MN is no stranger to a cold and wet May afternoon, and expressed his pleasure to return to present to Club #25 once again. As CEO of Essentia Health, Dr. Herman oversees 14,000 healthcare employees, including 2,000 physicians, as well as 74 clinics and 15 hospitals. Today, Dr. Herman, with presentation support from Senior Vice President Mark Hayward, provided the “big picture” of what Vision Northland will mean for our city and region. The project is massive – second in state history only to the US Bank Stadium project - with an approximate investment of nearly a billion dollars in private and state funding. The three-year building project that will employ 9,200 construction jobs resulting in a $3B economic impact. As stated on Vision Northland’s project overview page: The project will build approximately 815,000 square feet of new space and renovate approximately 115,000 square feet in existing facilities. By consolidating our campus, Essentia Health’s overall footprint will be reduced, opening space for other development in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood. Some unique features - an abundance of private patient rooms, “bird friendly” crash avoidance window designs, reduced light pollution, even valet parking. Essentia Health sought input from employees, civic leaders, and they continue to engage the community with regularly scheduled meetings. We look forward to an opening in 2022!
Boys & Girls Club Spring Carnival
The Boys & Girls Club Spring Carnival has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 28, at the Boys and Girls Club in Lincoln Park, 2407 West 4th Street. Set-up at 4pm, games start at 4:30. We need 21 volunteers total (Rotarians, Rotaractors, and family) to help wit the games! Easy and fun and you's smile a lot! To sign up, please email Dan Dock at dandockdc@aol.com
The annual Rotary fishing outing with The Hills will be held on Friday, June 7, from 7:30am to noon on the St. Louis River. We are looking for ten boats to use for taking students and chaperones out fishing on that day.
If you are able to provide Rotary with any boats, or know of anyone else who could, please contact: Dan Maki, 218-590-3593 or dnmaki51@gmail.com.
The Annual Piedmont End-of-Year Picnic is being held this year on Thursday, June 6, starting at 10:30am, at the Piedmont Elementary School located at 2827 Chambersburg Avenue. Over 300 parents and children will be celebrating the end of the school year, and volunteers are still needed. Call Jim Schwartz at 218-384-3500 to sign up!
There are sponsorship opportunities for the upcoming "Duck Pluck" event, that could give your business a boost and
renewed visibility. The committee is offering Sponsorships at varied financial levels from $500 to $5,000, and will work
with your business to design the benefits specific to your needs. Rotary members are being given first opportunity
to be a "Quacker Backer," a "Lucky Duck," a "Friend of the Flock," or perhaps even a "Grand Quacker"!
This promises to be a much anticipated annual event in the community, and stepping up as a sponsor now will
insure your much coveted place as a sponsor now and in the future. Don't Miss out. Call Gary Melander at 727 5054 to discuss how you can tailor the benefits of a sponsorship level that can promote your business.
PBS are looking for Rotarians to answer phones for one of their upcoming pledge drives Monday June 3rd at 5:30 pm. It would be great if we had one member from each area club to represent Rotary. Volunteers can respond directly to Anna Nelson from Eco Rotary annanelson829@gmail.com
This Week's Meeting
We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Holiday Inn
207 West Superior Street
Duluth,
MN 55802 United States of America